Rufio – Rough Legged Hawk (Buteo lagopus)

Rufio is a Rough-legged Hawk that came to Badger Run the beginning of 2014 with a fractured wing after being hit by a car. This is one of the most common injuries we see in raptors that come to us. Raptors like to feed on roadkill since it’s an easy meal. When they hear an approaching car they unfortunately often take of “slow & low” since they’ve been overeating. Think how you feel after eating too much turkey at Thanksgiving. As a result the birds often are clipped by a passing car. In Rufio’s case, the fracture healed, but left him unable to fully extend his wing. Not being able to fly well, he now has a forever home at Badger Run.